WTAP @ 5 To Your Health Report: Kids Doctor Visits

With cold and flu season upon us...many parents will be tending to sick children.

But how do you know when your child needs to see a doctor?

Elizabeth Cohen has tips from a pediatrician in Today's Health Minute.

Parenting a sick child is a lot like being a detective. How do you know if they have a harmless bug or something serious?

We decided to ask a pediatrician.

The first thing she says to watch for is a high fever.

"We get concerned when the fever lasts a long time because if could be a sign of a bacterial infection such as an infection in the bloodstream, pneumonia, meningitis."

So if your child's fever doesn't come down with medication, call your doctor. And when it comes to tummy aches, if you've ruled out constipation.

"Bad abdominal pain could be a sign of some kind of blockage within the belly or something like appendicitis, which is fairly uncommon in children, but does happen."

And if your child is having trouble breathing, it might be asthma.

"So you're looking for things like chest heaving, looking like their panting. The nose may be flaring."

And what if your child complains of headaches?

"A headache with other symptoms such as fever, vomiting, changes in vision can actually be signs of an infection like meningitis or too much pressure in the brain which can follow trauma."

And finally if you ever sense that something about your child is just not right, trust your instincts and call your pediatrician. It's better to be safe than sorry. For Today's Health Minute, I'm Elizabeth Cohen.

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